If you're looking for a romance novel, this book is not for you – but if you want an honest, emotional and engaging story with real, genuine characters, "Secrets of Swanfield House" is the perfect choice. This book takes you to a Scottish village where time seems to stand still as shadows of the past and secrets gradually make their way into the present.

At the heart of the story is Marcie, who returns to her home after the death of her grandmother Lisanne, leaving behind her life in the big city, her career as a lawyer and her long-term relationship. What starts out as a brief visit soon takes an unexpected turn. In her will, Lisanne left the family property not to her son Callum, but to her niece Marcie. This inheritance not only comes as a surprise to the young woman, but also raises further questions, especially as Callum – with whom she has become particularly close since the tragic loss of her parents – begins to behave strangely.

As Marcie delves deeper into the mystery, the novel becomes more tense and haunting. While reading, I often found myself unable to decide whether Marcie was being played by her overactive imagination and lawyer's mind or if she was in real danger. The plot is further complicated by the shadows of the past – rekindled sparks of old loves, the fragility of childhood friendships, and past wounds and traumas.

Marcie's character is curious and determined, and when she sets her mind to something, she doesn't give up easily. This is a quality she often has to call on throughout the story when it seems she has no one to rely on. As suspicious events and strange characters emerge, it becomes clearer and clearer that everyone is struggling with their own secrets and demons, while facing financial problems, past traumas and the daily challenges of survival.

Elayne Grimes beautifully captures the Scottish landscape and village atmosphere. As the story progresses, the walls of apparent serenity of old friendships slowly crumble down before Marcie's eyes, revealing the realities of everyday life. The author masterfully shows that superficial cheerfulness is often a mask behind which pain, loss and struggle are hidden.

"Secrets of Swanfield House" holds the reader's attention with intense emotion, surprising twists and turns and deep human connections. Although the plot focuses on the secrets and mysteries of the past, the book is about much more than that: it is about loss, forgiveness and how to find a way back home, even when we feel we have nowhere to return to.

Secrets of Swanfield House by Elayne Grimes is sometimes sad and depressing and other times a delightful and enjoyable read along with the adventures of spending time with an uncle and old friends. Can be full of surprises, suspense and keeps you on your toes trying to figure out what is happening or going to happen next. Plenty of red herring moments and times that make you second guess and wonder on who’s keeping secrets from whom

This was a lovely story covering the ups and downs of life and the friends that are made and kept. But real life isn't always like that and bad things happen. A very absorbing read.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I enjoyed this story and found the scenery and characters well written. I haven't visited Scotland so can only imagine how isolated this community is. Therefore, it is easy to see how secrets are had to hide. Marcie, had moved away from her family home many years earlier and returns for her Grandmother's funeral to find some things are the same, but others have changed. Her Uncle initially welcomes her back, but then becomes more remote. Marcie is surprised to inherit the estate. This causes unexpected consequences. The story held my interest from the beginning through to the end.

This was okay, lovely scenery and well described. I found the story rather slow, so it took me a long time to finish it.

Follow Marcie Mosse as she travels back to her family's estate in the Scottish Highlands .
Lots of memories and a little love .!
It's also has secrets and tragedy.
A good read indeed .

Intriguing story of past, present and future. Sadly I found the pace of the story too slow to truly capture my undivided attention.

Secrets Of Swanfield House
By: Elayne Grimesy

4 Stars

When Marcie goes home, she has to deal with the passing of her grandmother. Not only that, she was left the main estate. Not the son, Marcies Uncle Callum. This brews up a mystery that stretches far and wide. Secrets get unburied. Marcie finds herself in danger, as well as her friends and uncle, and all she can do to help is solve what is going on in her small town.

I found this book to be well written, with interesting characters. The mystery was spread throughout the book and kept me wanting more. Kept me reading till the end. This book brought family drama and small-town drama together to present an awesome story filled with danger and heartache. Reconciliation and second chances.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

Lovely book detailing Marcie's story and life in the Scottish Highlands, very atmospheric and great descriptions of the surroundings but also so much more with the twists and turns of the storyline and romance also thrown in. Definitely a page turner!

Marcie has made a life for herself in London, very far from her Scottish Highland roots and her grandmother. Reaching the village only after her grandmother had passed on, Marcie has now got to get to grips with her uncle Callum who seems distant and unwell. Her uncle had been very close to her but he seems to be pushing her away, and is distinctly antagonistic especially after they both are told that Marcie inherits the estate in total and Callum has been disinherited.

Marcie also has to deal with her friends in Strathkin two of whom are failing financially in their businesses because Strathkin is dying with tourists dwindling. It is only Dina now married to Marcie’s first love who is thriving. Her friends are not happy with her windfall and on to top it all, a strange young man has become a fixture in her uncles life and seems to be able to influence Callum to be uncharacteristically angry with Marcie.

Uncovering Brodies long term plans is difficult because he is viewed with favor in the village and Marcie is seen as the Londoner who is benefiting from her grandmothers death. Marcie has to work alone, even her fiancée Simon not believing her feelings about the threat posed by not just Brodie but his friends and even her own friend Heather.

How money can corrupt people, even friends and how relationships can fracture under the weight of wealth. It does not always help everyone when one persons wealth creates feelings of envy.

The story was set in beautiful surroundings which added interest to the story.

Secrets of Swanfield House was filled with so much that reading I had to stop and really think to keep everything in place and concentrate on what was happening and why. The pieces did fall into place, and it really made me think about family and how one small change can take people in a new direction.
I can see myself reading this book again.
Thank you NetGalley, Elayne Grimes and Storm Publishing for the copy of Secrets of Swanfield House. This is my personal review.

Secrets of Swanfield House has an atmospheric setting in the Scottish Highlands. A crime/mystery type of story mixed with old friends, lost loves, and strong family ties. Written to keep you guessing and wondering where the story is going to take you. My favorite parts were related to the lost love relationship and the idyllic Scottish lochs.

This book describes problems related to inheritance. The will of the deceased was changed some months before her death. As a result of the will, Uncle and niece, who were always very close, started to get strange. The book is mostly a description of the Scottish Highlands. The story shows how much prejudice is still permeating the lives of small communities.

This book blew my mind. I could not read it fast enough to work out what was going on. You are thinking about the book when you are not reading it. It is set in the remote Scottish highlands where everyone knows everyone. It has a sinister edge at times. Marcie has gone back for her grandmothers funeral. So many twists with the Will, her friends and her uncle . Read it. Can not recommend it enough.

Surprised me with the taut suspense!🙂

4-4.5🌟stars
I really enjoyed this story, especially the last half as the pace picked up and the tension grew. I was expecting a bit of romance and women's fiction and, to start off, that's what I got, with Marcie, the female lead, an established romantic partner waiting in London during what should have been a brief trip to Scotland for a funeral and four women friends and an old flame reuniting, mulling over their happy youth together and worrying about what the future holds for the small, rural community built around the Swanfield estate. Then the plot turned and it really got good and suspenseful. Marcie is uneasy, thinks there's a big secret churning around her involving some strangers in the area and her uncle's changing demeanor and sets out to investigate.

This is a heroine who is ready to eavesdrop and alienate her friends and allies one by one in search of the answer. And when the secrets come to light, she's surprised, even shocked, by what's happening, not least of which to her beloved Uncle Callum, who was bypassed in her grandmother's will despite his years of devotion to the estate bequeathed unexpectedly to Marcie.

I also liked the subplot about the fading economy and how her friends are affected. It's sad but too realistic, really.

Tension escalates, along with some danger and fast-paced action. It drew me in, and I loved the four young sons of Marcie's friend Dina who gave periodic whimsy and relief from the building suspense. Plus, young Douglas comes up trumps with his fossicking through beach debris when Marcie is at wit's end in ferreting out what the bad actors are up to.

The writing's good, with some lovely descriptions of the spring countryside, but a nice balance between scenic descriptions, introspection, dialogue and action.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

This book gave so more more than expected, full of twists and turns, ups and downs it takes you on a remarkable journey. Mystery, intrigue,secrets and lies, love and friendships all make this an absolutely captivating page turner of a read. I was so lucky to have had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to netgalley.

3⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of Secrets Of Swanfield House.

Marcie returns to the Scottish village she grew up in after the death of her grandmother. She is reunited with her uncle Callum who is like a parent to her. She is reunited with her childhood friends as well. She thinks she will be there a week and head back to her life in London until she is told everything was left to her instead of her uncle. That causes friction between them and more sinister things may be happening that Marcie begins to uncover.

This book was okay. There were parts that really drug on but then there were parts that really grabbed my attention. It was overall just an okay read for me.

thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful setting! The palpable tension between Marcie and her old friends is so well executed that I found myself feeling anxious on her behalf and as the plot unfolds the tension ramps up from dealing with old emotions to dealing with suspicions about the new man about town.
a great read!

Secrets of Swanfield House is a book full of secrets, grief and friendships. It’s a lovely written book with a beautiful setting, loved that it was set in the Highlands of Scotland.
Marcie returns to her childhood home after her grandmother passes, it’s not easy for her her as she has past memories from her time there. She has a lot to do and she finds it hard. The relationship with her Uncle Callum is difficult and there is lies that are unraveling. There is a mystery about this book and I read it in one sitting to find out what.
A great 4 star read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

This was an intense book at times. Lots of secrets and surprises see the light of day. I did think it was a slow moving book that really ends with a bang. You won’t be able to put it down